Athletic director Jeff Hammond said in a statement Tuesday that Johnson
"will not return in the future as our head football coach."

The 60-year-old Johnson is due a $2.1 million buyout over the next three
seasons.

The veteran coach has been a successful defensive coordinator at several
schools, including South Carolina, Mississippi State, Alabama and Clemson
before coming to Hattiesburg, Miss.

During Johnson's first season with the Gamecocks, he was one of five finalists for Defensive Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop.com. In 2010, the defense finished No. 15 nationally against the run. In
2009, the defense finished No. 15 national in total defense.

That experience didn't translate into success with the Golden Eagles.

Southern Miss finished with a 0-12 record one season after a school-record
12-2 finish that included a win in the Hawaii Bowl. The Golden Eagles were the
only team in the Football Bowl Subdivision not to win a game this year.

"At Southern Miss, we know a winner when we
see one," said President Dr. Martha Dunagin Saunders as she introduced
Johnson to a crowd of Golden Eagle faithful in December, 2011.

"I want to take Southern Miss to a BCS bowl game and win it," said Johnson during his introductory press conference.

Johnson replaced Larry Fedora who took the head coaching job at the University of North Carolina. UNC finished 8-4.

#12 Mississippi State finished up its final practice in Starkville on Wednesday before heading to Hattiesburg for opening weekend. Andy Cannizaro is entering his second season as head coach of the Bulldogs, he agreed to wear a microphone for WLBT / FOX 40 during Wednesday's practice. To understand why Cannizaro is such a likable coach, click on the video above. When asked about facing Southern Miss this weekend, Cannizaro praised Scott Berry's team. ...

#12 Mississippi State finished up its final practice in Starkville on Wednesday before heading to Hattiesburg for opening weekend. Andy Cannizaro is entering his second season as head coach of the Bulldogs, he agreed to wear a microphone for WLBT / FOX 40 during Wednesday's practice. To understand why Cannizaro is such a likable coach, click on the video above. When asked about facing Southern Miss this weekend, Cannizaro praised Scott Berry's team. ...

WIS is launching a new sports talk show on Facebook Live! Every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Rick Henry, Emery Glover and their special guests will get together at 1801 Grille in downtown Columbia for thirty minutes of spirited college football talk on Facebook Live.

WIS is launching a new sports talk show on Facebook Live! Every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Rick Henry, Emery Glover and their special guests will get together at 1801 Grille in downtown Columbia for thirty minutes of spirited college football talk on Facebook Live.

Blair Schaefer said it best Monday night about the record 10,749 at The Hump: "It was loud." #2 Mississippi State trailed #7 South Carolina 44-39 after 3 quarters. The Bulldogs used a 13-0 run in the 4th to remain perfect on the season. MSU beat the Gamecocks 67-53.

Blair Schaefer said it best Monday night about the record 10,749 at The Hump: "It was loud." #2 Mississippi State trailed #7 South Carolina 44-39 after 3 quarters. The Bulldogs used a 13-0 run in the 4th to remain perfect on the season. MSU beat the Gamecocks 67-53.